fmca

Family Motor Coach Association

About FMCA

Since 1963 FMCA has issued more than 475,000 memberships to families who look to the association as their source of information about all facets of RV ownership and travel.

Membership categories

  • Full/Family (F) membership is open to any person or family owning at least one-third interest in a qualifying RV.
  • Family Associate (A) membership is open to Full/Family (F) members who no longer own a qualifying RV.
  • Commercial (C) membership is for dealers, suppliers, manufacturers, campgrounds, service facilities and other firms servicing the RV owner or the RV industry.

FMCA’s purpose

The purpose of FMCA is to organize social activities, exchange RV information, and supply benefits made possible, in part, by collective purchasing. The interest of the Association also extends into the area of political and legislative action. FMCA supports recreation programs and the legal rights of RV owners.

Greatest benefit

FMCA takes pride in the merit of its many membership benefits, which include a mail forwarding service, an emergency medical evacuation program, international conventions, chapter and area rallies, and a free subscription to Family RVing magazine

One of the greatest benefits of FMCA membership is the opportunity it provides for enjoying the fellowship of friends from all over the country who share a common interest, RVing. The Association is rich in the tradition of FMCA members extending hands of genuine friendship to one another.

FMCA recognizes approximately 400 chapters across the United States and Canada. Many of them encompass specific or general geographic regions. Others consist of FMCA members who own a particular brand or model of RV. And still others are based on a common interest, such as music, sports, coach conversions or amateur radio.

FMCA members can be identified by the FMCA membership emblem, that many members display on their RV. This oval plate, embossed with the family’s membership number, opens the door for many friendly encounters while traveling.

Staff

FMCA is owned by its membership, governed by elected officers and has a national office that conducts its business affairs. The staff establishes a liaison with the RV industry, helps members to organize geographic and special interest chapters, publishes a monthly magazine, and coordinates FMCA RV conventions and annual membership meetings.

FMCA Member Code of Ethics

Every member of FMCA, as defined in the Bylaws, accepts and agrees that a condition of said membership is the obligation to abide by the FMCA Member Code of Ethics and the other rules and standards of this organization, which represent all our endeavors to be good neighbors, careful and responsible coach owners and operators, and good citizens of our communities.

Consistent adherence to the FMCA Member Code of Ethics is desired and required of every member, in order that the actions of all members may reflect favorably upon each other and upon FMCA; and thereby earn the confidence and respect of the public and its acceptance of FMCA and all its members.

FMCA Member Personal Responsibilities:

  • Respect the rights and privacy of other members and coach owners on and off the highways.
  • Comply with all Federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the ownership and use of family RVs.
  • Obtain permission to remain overnight, in a shopping center parking lot or on other private property, from the owner or responsible party of the property.
  • Comply with all rules of National, state, municipal, and private facilities in which a member stays.
  • Last but not least, members should not lose sight of the fact that there is a universal guideline known as the Golden Rule that directs all proper endeavors.

Therefore, recognizing that the public will judge all family RV owners by their individual actions, all members of FMCA, as well as its employed personnel, are enjoined to honor and comply with the FMCA Member Code of Ethics.

RV’ers Good Neighbor Policy

FMCA and some of the most respected RV consumer clubs have joined together to support your right to park on private businesses’ parking lots overnight under the following code of conduct. The code pertains to establishments that permit “dry camping” on their lots. Dry camping means camping without the use of external hookups for electricity, water supply or waste disposal.

South Dakota Driver’s License

Federal Real I.D. Law Requirements for South Dakota Driver’s License

Your South Dakota Driver’s License is your MAIN proof of residency

Please note: The South Dakota Driver’s License Bureau in Rapid City is CLOSED weekends AND MONDAY.

UPDATE for COVID SITUATION:

You MUST make an appointment at any DMV in the state, email dpslicensinginfo@state.sd.us.

As a full-time traveler, you do NOT need to spend 14 days in South Dakota prior to your appointment.

You will be required to wear a mask.

Driver’s License Bureau

Open Tue-Fri 7-5:30.        1301 East Catron Blvd, Rapid City SD  57701 (ask us for directions)

800-952-3696 (statewide number in Central Time Zone)

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY MET THE FEDERAL REAL I.D. REQUIREMENTS, AND HAVE A SOUTH DAKOTA DRIVER’S LICENSE WITH A STAR IN THE UPPER RIGHT-HAND CORNER, YOU DO NOT NEED TO MEET THEM AGAIN. YOU ONLY NEED THE CORRECT RECEIPT FOR A RECENT STAY (LESS than 1-year-old) IN SOUTH DAKOTA (provided by Americas Campground and Lodging when you stay with us for at least one night). You may renew up to 180 days in advance of expiration. You may also call the state to get an extension of up to a year at their discretion. You will also need proof that you are legally allowed to use this PMB address (see #4 below for requirement as of 10-20-2013).

If you have a driver’s license from any other state with a gold star in the upper right-hand corner, you must usually still PROVE CITIZENSHIP to South Dakota with a current valid passport or certified birth certificate.

We try to be current but to be on the really safe side, give the number above a call to verify before you go to the driver’s license facility you have chosen. MAKE SURE they understand that you have a PMB legal address or they will give you the wrong information. Local personnel turnover may result in facing someone who may not be fully aware of the rules; have the name of the person you spoke to at the statewide number handy when you go in.

Please note that unlike some other states like Texas & California, South Dakota does not require a person to have a special driver’s license for big rigs.

*1. You will need to surrender your current license or State ID card from another state and show them verification of your Social Security number and one other form of ID proving citizenship. You cannot be a resident of more than one state at a time.

*2. The best form of a second ID is your valid Passport/Passport Card. In the absence of a Passport, you will need to show them a Certified Birth Certificate from a government body, NOT a hospital.

*3. Verification of your SSN can ONLY be with your original Social Security Card (NOT the stub), 1099, or a W-2 with your full name and FULL SSN. The documents can be from ANY year. Please be aware that 1099s or W-2s from 2020 and beyond may NOT have the full social any longer.

*If the name on your current driver’s license does not match your name on these other documents, you must present either a Marriage Certificate, Divorce Order or some other Approved (CERTIFIED) Court Order (or a series of them) to prove the name you want on your SD driver’s license.

*4. We have also received an email from the SD DMV that the Federal Real ID law as implemented in South Dakota for full-time travelers will NOT require you to show utility bills, bank statements, or anything else of that type as of December 31, 2009, when the Real ID Act turned into law. However, you ARE required to spend one night at a hotel, motel, or campground anywhere within the state, and to bring the receipt with your name(s), PMB address, and that location address on it to a driver’s license facility anywhere in the state. This receipt MUST show the address of the South Dakota location. However, your PMB address will actually go on your driver’s license. If you have a CDL there is no longer any difference in these requirements.

NEW as of 10-20-2013: You must also bring your receipt from your PMB provider OR one current piece of mail addressed to you at your PMB to prove that you are legally allowed to use the address from your campground/hotel receipt.

*5. At the DMV you will sign an affidavit saying that you are becoming a South Dakota resident and that this is the state to which you intend to return (at least every 5 years for a driver’s license). You will be excused if you are called for jury duty, so you do not have to worry about saying that you promise to serve if you are selected since it never reaches that point.

FOR COMPLIANT DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL:

You MUST return to South Dakota IN PERSON since you are a PMB holder and not a year-round resident actually present in the state. If you have a hotel, motel or campground receipt that is LESS than a year old at the time you are renewing, then you may mail that in along with the other “online” requirements, and do not have to be present in the state at the exact time you are renewing. However, you CANNOT stay away from South Dakota for 10 years and utilize online renewal in the interim.

The state’s web site explains:

Please note that unlike some other states like Texas & California, South Dakota does not require a person to have a

People Who Travel Full Time

If you are using a South Dakota mail forwarding address, you will need to complete the residency affidavit. This is handed to you at the DMV. You NEVER download this in advance. You sign in front of the DMV staff, who are all notaries. You will also need to provide a receipt from a South Dakota hotel/motel, campground, or RV park to prove one night of stay within the last year (handwritten receipts are not acceptable) and ONE DOCUMENT (no more than one year old) proving your personal mailbox (PMB) service address (receipt from the PMB business or a piece of mail with your PMB address on it).

You do NOT have to have a South Dakota driver’s license to register your vehicles in Pennington County. Also, you can get your driver’s license anywhere in the state, not necessarily in Rapid City, but if you want to come to the Rapid City area, you’re welcome to book a campsite or room at our campground or guest rooms right here on the same premises of Americas Mailbox Mail Forwarding and Home Base Services. Call the state to find out the hours elsewhere.

Currently driver’s licenses in South Dakota cost:

$28 for a regular Drivers License

$33 for a Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

As of May 2015, credit cards ARE accepted in payment, with an additional $2 processing fee.

In many cases, it will take about 20 to 30 minutes from the time you walk in the door until you walk out, with your driver’s license in your hand.

While the state can do what they want and change what they want, in many cases, many of our members have told us that all they had to do in the way of testing was place their forehead on a machine and tell the examiner what a line of letters are.

If you wish the word “Veteran” to appear on your driver’s license, just bring a copy of your DD214 showing that you were honorably discharged.

Please note that for a Commerical Drivers License (CDL) you can now spend the night at a hotel, motel or campground anywhere in the state. Your mailing address at Americas Mailbox Mail Forwarding and Home Base Services is now what goes on your driver’s license as well. Remember that we now have our full-service campsites and guest room lodging available for rent and can provide the correct receipt for the DMV for your CDL.

The following is taken directly from the state’s web site on the federal requirements for documentation needed when obtaining a South Dakota driver’s license:

“Effective Dec. 31, 2009, federal regulations require anyone applying for a new, renewal, or duplicate driver license or identification card will have to provide the following documents listed below (photocopies are not acceptable).

I . You will need ONE Identity Document. NOTE: If your name is different than the name on your identity document, you will need to bring additional proof of your legal name. Acceptable documents for proof of a legal name change are

  • a certified marriage certificate (issued by a state vital records agency),
  • a certified adoption document, or a certified court order authorizing a name change (such as a divorce decree). If you have had multiple marriages, you will need to bring similar documents providing legal proof of each name change.

If you have any questions please call South Dakota Drivers Licensing Program office at 1-800-952-3696.

You will also need:

Identity Documents to prove identity, date of birth, and lawful status is considered to be one of the following:

  • Certified U.S. birth certificate issued by State or County (hospital birth certificates are not acceptable)                                                       
  • Valid unexpired U.S. passport
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Valid unexpired permanent resident card
  • Valid unexpired employment authorization document
  • Foreign passport with valid unexpired U.S. Visa with I-94

(For phone numbers and addresses to write for Vital Records, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm.)

II . You will need ONE document to prove Social Security number. Only the documents listed below can serve as proof of Social Security number (document must include your full social security number):

  • Original Social Security card (CANNOT be a metal card or a solid white card with blue/red stripe)
  • W-2 Form
  • SSA 1099 Form
  • Non-SSA 1099 Form

Pay stub (must include the name and social security number)

(For information on how to apply for a social security number or replacement card, please visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ )

If you are using a mail forwarding address the applicant must complete the “Residency Affidavit” while at the driver’s license facility and provide one document proving their temporary address (campground or RV park receipt).”

special driver’s license for big rigs.

*1. You will need to surrender your current license or State ID card from another state and show them verification of your Social Security number and one other form of ID proving citizenship. You cannot be a resident of more than one state at a time.

*2. The best form of a second ID is your valid Passport/Passport Card. In the absence of a Passport, you will need to show them a Certified Birth Certificate from a government body, NOT a hospital.

*3. Verification of your SSN can ONLY be with your original Social Security Card (NOT the stub), 1099, or a W-2 with your full name and FULL SSN. The documents can be from ANY year. Please be aware that 1099s or W-2s from 2020 and beyond may NOT have the full social any longer.

*If the name on your current driver’s license does not match your name on these other documents, you must present either a Marriage Certificate, Divorce Order or some other Approved (CERTIFIED) Court Order (or a series of them) to prove the name you want on your SD driver’s license.

*4. We have also received an email from the SD DMV that the Federal Real ID law as implemented in South Dakota for full-time travelers will NOT require you to show utility bills, bank statements, or anything else of that type as of December 31, 2009, when the Real ID Act turned into law. However, you ARE required to spend one night at a hotel, motel, or campground anywhere within the state, and to bring the receipt with your name(s), PMB address, and that location address on it to a driver’s license facility anywhere in the state. This receipt MUST show the address of the South Dakota location. However, your PMB address will actually go on your driver’s license. If you have a CDL there is no longer any difference in these requirements.

NEW as of 10-20-2013: You must also bring your receipt from your PMB provider OR one current piece of mail addressed to you at your PMB to prove that you are legally allowed to use the address from your campground/hotel receipt.

*5. At the DMV you will sign an affidavit saying that you are becoming a South Dakota resident and that this is the state to which you intend to return (at least every 5 years for a driver’s license). You will be excused if you are called for jury duty, so you do not have to worry about saying that you promise to serve if you are selected since it never reaches that point.

FOR COMPLIANT DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL:

You MUST return to South Dakota IN PERSON since you are a PMB holder and not a year-round resident actually present in the state. If you have a hotel, motel or campground receipt that is LESS than a year old at the time you are renewing, then you may mail that in along with the other “online” requirements, and do not have to be present in the state at the exact time you are renewing. However, you CANNOT stay away from South Dakota for 10 years and utilize online renewal in the interim.

The state’s web site explains:

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